Take a look at how much Xanadu has improved even since our last update! She's drinking water and nibbling hay on her own, and her bowel functions are steadily returning to normal. ;)

Running a chinchilla-specific rescue, (and having so many of them as our own pets) has allowed us to have a greater than usual amount of experience with every imaginable potential issue. We have learned from a wide range of...opportunities. I suppose this is why folks often call or email for advice. :)

Most recently though we've had the unfortunate affrontation with a prolapsed uterus. (click for picture - WARNING, graphic image!)

This is the second prolapse we've had to deal with, and both times it has occurred with the sapphire mutation. Our little mommy chin was rushed to the vet where she had to undergo emergency surgery and spay. Fortunately her kits were already 6 weeks old when it happened, so they were able to wean early without too much stress, but I sure hated to have to force them through this so young.

Xanadu has not been recovering well and needs some prayerful support. Surprisingly, she's still fighting the effects of her ordeal, and has started drinking on her own! We still have to syringe feed her, but she appears to be more receptive to it. She is very weak, but at least she's started pooing again.

It was nice of Xanadu to hold off on this emergency until we could finish paying off Kismet's amputation costs. :) Now we have a new goal to work toward.

Before I post today's update, please take a moment in remembrance of the victims of 9/11/2001...

It has been a very difficult past couple of weeks. A rescue hamster here developed a particularly aggressive form of cancer. What we thought was a perpetually full cheek pouch, turned out to be a tumor. For the first time ever, we had to have a critter put down. It was a very sad occasion.

Less than two weeks later, one of the chinnies broke her leg. Yesterday (Friday) she went in for surgery to have it amputated. The vet says the surgery went well and we can bring her home this morning.

Now this is where we need some help. The original estimate for the amputation was $1500! (Gasp!) Fortunately for us, our back-up exotics vet had pity and worked a fee that was much, much more within our grasp...but we still need to come up with $600.

If you've been considering upgrading a cage, adopting a chin, or showing your monetary support, now would be a perfect time to do so.

Please keep Kismet in your prayers as she heals up and gets used to being a tri-pod.